The Future of Sustainable Energy The green transition for Europe’s regions. 2018 I 17 What are the obstacles, challenges and opportunities? Sustainable energy 1 Sustainable energy What are the political possibilities and obstacles for the transition to renewable energy in different European regions? Elsje Catharina de Groote Symke Aleyt Nieboer Samantha Gan Kristensen Catherina De Zilva Book 17 Coppieters Foundation BRUSSELS | 2018 Abstract The purpose of this study is to identify political obstacles to the transition to green energy in Europe. Previous studies have not fully analyzed political barriers blocking or frustrating Content the implementation of renewable energy on a regional level. To identify political barriers to renewable energy on a regional level, five European regions were examined by conducting interviews and reviewing literature. The authors hope the outcome of the research will guide European regions in the development of their energy policies and better equip them with expertise on regional best practices, as well as on how to avoid repeating past errors. The research findings were presented at the conference of the European Free Alliance and the Fryske Nasjonale Partij in Leeuwarden. Introduction 6 Acknowledgements Methods 10 We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who made this research possible. Firstly, Regional case studies 12 we would like to thank the Coppieters Foundation for supporting our research. We would Friesland 12 also like to thank the Fryske Nasjonale Partij, specifically the energy commission of the Yorkshire 28 party, for the opportunity to carry out this study. We thank Olrik Bouma and Henk de Vries Flanders 44 for their assistance and comments, which greatly improved the manuscript. Any errors that Silesia 56 may remain are our own and should not tarnish the reputations of these esteemed persons. Galicia 72 We would also like to show our gratitude to the interviewees for sharing their wisdom with us. The content of each interview shaped the course of this research, whether or not it was Discussion 86 included in the final report. Major findings 86 Comparison of case study findings 91 Limitations and further research 93 References 96 Appendices 106 Coppieters Foundation 112 Colophon 119 This publication is financed with the support of the European Parliament (EP). The EP is not responsible for any use made of the content of this publication. The editor of the publication is the sole person liable. 4 Sustainable energy 5 The primary methods used for this research are case studies, literature review and interviews. To understand the transition to renewable energy and the political obstacles impeding its implementation, it is pertinent to analyze case studies of different regions by examining the transparency and efficiency of the implementation process and any barriers faced by authorities. The regions examined in these case studies are Friesland, Yorkshire, Flanders, Silesia and Galicia. These regions have been selected due to their affiliation with the European Free Alliance, a European political party. The findings in this report are based on interviews with relevant experts from Introduction the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland and Spain. Earlier research has looked at different barriers to renewable energy within Europe in different countries. Ecofys (2010) has done research on the assessment of non-cost barriers to renewable energy growth in EU member states, considering that financial support schemes and improving grid-access conditions for renewable electricity received the most attention over the past decade. These barriers, which include administrative hurdles, defficient grid connection, access barriers, limited information and lack of awareness, have severely impeded the transition to renewable energy. Multiple studies have been done on renewable energy in the Netherlands. Agterbosch et al. (2004) conducted a technology-focused study on wind power implementation The transition to renewable energy is motivated by a combination of both scientific in the Netherlands. Others like Negro et al. (2008) have examined uncertainty as and political factors. We currently possess knowledge about technological and a barrier to the rapid diffusion of biomass technologies. Dutch renewable energy economic dimensions of renewable energy that makes the transition technologically policies have been researched by Van Rooijen and Van Wees (2006). They address and economically feasible. However, in many situations, the sociopolitical climate not only political barriers but also: hinders the actual implementation of this transition. Lack of financial resources and • The lack of stable renewable energy investments limited public acceptance are other factors that can obstruct a full transition from • The failure of the Dutch government to reduce market uncertainties and build taking place. investor confidence due to unclear and unstable policy goals and procedures • The lack of meaningful stakeholder participation in Dutch energy policy making Although emphasis is often placed on the economic and technical aspects of the transition to renewable energy, this study focuses on the sociopolitical obstacles Verbong and Geels (2007) examined the ongoing energy transition in the Dutch encountered prior to or during the transition by answering the research question: electricity system. Their study displayed great pessimism regarding the following What are the political obstacles to the transition to renewable energy? This paper ten years of the transition, partly due to lack of awareness or concern about defines political obstacles as any political elements that restrain or obstruct the environmental issues and the resistance of local communities. They conclude that transition to renewable energy. the Netherlands is not ready for radical changes in the system yet, but that it is important to keep radical ideas alive. Gommans, L.J.J.H.M. (2012) wrote guidelines Our study looks into renewable energy sources that are relevant in the context of for an optimal energy system and developed regional plans with case studies for the European Union (EU), like biomass, concentrated solar power, geothermal energy, Southeast Drenthe and Limburg, focusing mostly on spatial planning. The renewable hydropower, tidal energy, wave energy, and wind turbines. energy policies of Spain and the Netherlands are addressed in the research of Dinica (2006). 6 Sustainable energy 7 A report by Alonso et al., describes the dramatic change that took place in In Belgium, a study by Reinhard Haas (2011) stated that the current system in Belgium Spain in 2012, when all subsidies for renewable energy were removed by an act has a rather complicated political structure. Haas outlines the current structure, of parliament, specifically RD 1/2012. As a result, it completely halted renewable stating that “the federal authorities are responsible for the national equipment energy developments and created considerable uncertainty for the future of programme in the electricity and gas sector, electricity generation (power stations), renewable energy in Spain. Del Río and Unruh (2007) wrote about the different electricity transmission (high-voltage lines) and tariffs. The regional authorities barriers to implementing wind and solar energy in Spain, such as high costs for are responsible for local transmission and distribution of electricity (under 70 kV), solar panels and regional differences. public gas distribution, cogeneration, promotion of renewable energy sources (RES) and rational use of energy (RUE)”. This is a non-cost barrier to the implementation of Various reports and studies have focused on energy sources in the United Kingdom. renewable energy. Other barriers identified by the American Chamber of Commerce Data about renewable energy has been central to these reports. The Digest of in Belgium (AmCham Belgium) include Belgium’s unfavourable geology for energy UK Energy Statistics (DUKES) gives extensive data about past and present energy resources. According to Haas et al. (2011), it was clear from the beginning that due production. Lipp's (2007) study focused on policy and its effectiveness. It found to Belgium's small market, liquidity would also be a barrier to the implementation that the UK's policy approach resulted in energy shortages, higher costs (compared of renewable energy. to other countries) and lack of diversity in supply. A significant amount of research linked to renewable energy has focused on the effectiveness of technology, such as Lissaman's study on the effectiveness of wind turbines. Many studies have focused on renewable energy in Poland. In 2017, as many as 42,100 studies related to renewable energy were published. When zeroing in on political barriers to renewable energy, the study of Stephens (2008) on the sociopolitical barriers can be taken as an example. Stephens proposes a systematic, interdisciplinary framework for an integrated analysis of regulatory, legal, political, economic, and social factors that influence energy technology deployment decisions at the state level. The aim of the study was to enhance awareness of the interconnections between these factors and to improve overall energy policy and planning, thus accelerating change in energy infrastructures. This study focuses on the United States, but it can serve as an indication of how to carry out similar analyses. In 2016, the International Energy Agency (IEA) published a report on energy policies in Poland. This report